The city of Canton has released guidelines for reopening its parks and recreational facilities beginning Monday, May 18. Playgrounds, pavilions, restrooms and athletic fields will reopen. Water fountains will remain closed.

Below are the city’s guidelines.

Public Playgrounds will reopen on Monday, May 18. City Public Works staff have used the time over the last month to pressure wash all playground equipment, provide for routine maintenance of equipment and sites, and to test cleaning solutions. As such, staff is working to remove barricades over the next couple of days. The playgrounds will be cleaned daily using environmentally friendly products. Parents should use good judgment and hygiene related to the use of these structures. Social Distancing of 6-feet from those outside your household is a State directive and should be observed. Additionally, children and parents that are ill should not go to the playground. Children should wash hands prior to playground use and after playground use. Snacks should not be consumed in the playground area. If you are concerned about your children being around other children, please don’t use the playgrounds. Please promote responsibility for good hygiene and safety with your children. The State encourages face coverings for all Georgians in public.

Parks Related Pavilions and Restrooms will reopen on Monday, May 18.The City Public Works department will be opening restrooms at City parks. These are maintained daily, however the City encourages citizens using these facilities to use personal responsibility when using them. Wash your hands, consider using a hand-wipe to open doors, etc. It is a restroom … there will be germs. Please don’t lick anything. Consider wiping down your tables and benches at the public pavilions. The State guideline for social distancing is still in place, so large parties are not permitted and congregations of more than 10 are not allowed.

Athletic Fields and Courts will reopen on Monday, May 18, but group sports will not be permitted. The basketball courts, tennis courts, and baseball fields at City parks will be open for recreational use. This means that those living in the same household that want to play tennis or basketball are allowed to do so. Individuals not from the same household are required to follow State social distancing requirements of 6 feet. Non-related groups of more than 10 or organized teams are not permitted to use these facilities.

City Parks are smoke free areas. Visitors can not smoke or vape in City Parks.

All dogs should be on leash. Visitors must use doggie sanitation bags and stations to clean up after your pet.

Water fountains will not be available for use.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, as of 1 p.m. Friday, Cherokee County had 693 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 22 people in Cherokee County had died from the virus.